IRISH international Gary Doherty is ready to pledge his soccer future to Cardiff City and cap a magnificent week for the Bluebirds.

City have scored six goals in successive First Division victories, at Nottingham Forest and against Derby County at home last night, and manager Lennie Lawrence said today: "It's always better to strengthen when you are playing well.

"The lad (Doherty) wants to come and it's down to Spurs, but it must be done this week - before international players go off for 12 days with their national teams."

Cardiff City have offered #1m for central defender Doherty, who is seen as the ideal player to take squad strength up to 25 senior players plus six first-year professionals.

City fired four goals against Derby County in a match shown live on Sky television last night, a result which left Rams manager George Burley fuming. Referee Neil Barry, who sent off was given a verbal lashing by Derby player Michael Johnson as the teams left the pitch and Burley also had strong words with the official.

"It was a quality performance which will give us a big dose of confidence," said Lawrence. "We had a right go, and if we set standards like that then we need fear nobody.

"It was a massive Bank Holiday weekend for Cardiff City and the fans played their part. The atmosphere was better than I can remember at Ninian Park since my first game here, against Leeds United in the FA Cup."

Alan Lee scored his first goal for the Bluebirds from a cross which floated over the Derby 'keeper, while skipper Graham Kavanagh stepped up his challenge for an Ireland recall with a man-of-the-match display.